Vox Populi

Republic of the Philippines

Sangguniang Panlungsod

Committee on Women, Children and Family

AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE LIPA CITY WOMEN’S COORDINATING COUNCIL, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND OTHER PURPOSES

Author: Hon. Maria Concepcion R. Hernandez

WHEREAS, pursuant to RA 7192, otherwise known as the Women in Development and Nation Building Act, it shall be the policy of the local government of the City of Lipa to uphold the rights of women, believe in their worth and protect their dignity as human beings.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Provincial Ordinance No. 09, Year 2000, otherwise known as the Ordinance Creating the Women Coordinating Council in the Province of Batangas, it is hereby declared that that the policy of the Province is to recognize the vital role of women in the community, enhance the women’s welfare and advocate action that would address the needs, problems and aspirations of the women.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Special Ordinance No. 57-2007, otherwise known as the Gender and Development Code of Lipa City, the city government shall ensure the participation of women to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and all Local Special Bodies in the city and shall ensure that women benefit equally in the government programs and projects.

WHEREFORE, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Lipa, that:

SECTION 1: TITLE – This ordinance shall be known as the “Lipa City Women’s Coordinating Council Ordinance”

SECION 2: DECLARATION OF POLICY – It is hereby declared that the organization of the Lipa City Women’s Coordinating Council shall be conducted towards women empowerment, social justice and poverty alleviation of marginalized women through democratic participation; autonomy of LGUs and NGOs; spirit of inclusivity; political neutrality and non-partisanship of government officials/staff/organizations; transparency and accountability.

SECTION 3: CREATION OF THE COUNCIL – Pursuant to the abovementioned policies, the Lipa City Women’s Coordinating Council is hereby created, hereinafter referred to as LCWCC.

SECTION 4: STATEMENT OF GOALS AND OBJECIVES – As a vehicle in mainstreaming GAD in pursuit of women empowerment, gender equality, social justice, lasting peace, fulfillment and protection of human rights and sustainable development, the LCWCC shall:

1. Define their respective advocacy agenda which shall incorporate their local priorities in terms of local, national, international women’s agenda, to include, but not limited to the following:
a. The implementation of international and national instruments such as Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA); the Philippines Plan for Gender Responsive Development (PPGD); and the Framework Plan For Women among their networks;
b. Mainstreaming of gender and development in the LGU, the passage of local legislation addressing gender issues and women’s concerns;
c. Formulation of the LGUs GAD Plan and Budget;
d. Participation of women in local governance by pushing for passage of the bill on Sectoral Representation to the Local Sanggunian and ensuring representation of women in local special bodies, among others;
2. Support the implementation of the Framework Plan for Women by collaborating with government agencies and/or GAD Focal Points for the implementation of GAD-related programs, projects and activities (PPAs) and developing and implementing projects that address gender issues and women’s concerns;
3. Undertake activities and projects such as livelihood, micro-enterprise, social services and training and skills development, within the framework of GAD particularly the Framework Plan For Women, independently or in partnership with the existing Local Councils and other government agencies;
4. Establish linkage with business sector, GO and NGO institutions to enable women’s access to resources, information and technology, in order to pursue its projects more effectively;
5. Monitor the implementation and impact of local policies and programs on women and provide the local machineries on women, the Local Chief Executive, and other relevant agencies with copies of the findings, and ensure corresponding action;
6. Establish linkage with the NCRFW in pursuit of gender and development mainstreaming and women empowerment at the local level; and
7. Build entrepreneurial capability of marginalized women locally, nationally and internationally.

SECTION 5 – COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL – The LCWCC is a non-government entity which shall be comprised of Barangay Council Chairpersons of the Committees on Women in their respective Barangays and women agencies and organizations that have shown capability and commitment to implement women’s agenda at the local level. This represents the women GO-NGO partnership in the localities.

SECTION 5.1 – The Board of Trustees of the LCWCC shall be composed of the City Councilor who chairs the Committee on Women as the Ex-Officio Chairperson, and elected officers for the positions of Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Auditor and PRO. Other officers may be elected as deemed appropriate by the Board of Trustees. The term of office of the LCWCC Board of Trustees shall be two (2) years.

SECTION 5.2 – The officers of the LCWCC shall be the official representatives of the City of Lipa in the District and Provincial Women’s Coordinating Councils.

SECTION 5.3 – The City Social Welfare Development Office shall appoint an officer-in-charge who shall head the Secretariat operations of the LCWCC.

SECTION 6: APPROPRIATION – The amount of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000) is hereby initially approved for the implementation of this ordinance. This amount is hereby appropriated every year thereafter.

SECTION 7: REPEALING CLAUSE – All ordinances, resolutions, orders, rules and regulations or portions thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8: SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – In the event that any provisions of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional, the validity of other provisions shall not be affected by such declaration.

SECTION 9: EFFECTIVITY – This ordinance shall take effect upon approval.

Republic of the Philippines
Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

Committee on Information Technology

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION OF INTERNET CAFÉ/COMPUTER GAME CENTERS IN LIPA CITY

Author: Hon. Maria Concepcion R. Hernandez
Co-Author: Hon. King S. Umali

Whereas, with Senate Resolution No. 109 approved on July 1990, the Philippines became a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which upholds the protection rights of children which recognizes the vulnerability of children including providing safeguards against access to detrimental information;

Whereas, Republic Act 7610 provides for stronger deterrence and special protection against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination, and providing penalties for its violation;

Whereas, as stated in Presidential Decree No. 603, entitled The Child and Youth Welfare Code, it shall be the duty of the community, which includes local government, together with the society of individuals or institution, both public and private, in which a child lives, to insure the full enjoyment of the right of every child to live in a society that offers or guarantees him safety, healthy, good moral environment and facilitates for his wholesome growth and development;

Whereas, Internet Café’s/Computer Game centers in Lipa City are local business establishments recognized to be partners of the government and the community in upholding corporate social responsibility to ensure that their respective businesses are child-friendly;

Whereas, the Lipa City Government is duty-bound to enact an ordinance that will regulate the operation of Internet Café /Computer Game Centers that are found to be socially irresponsible and negligent of their duties to the community, especially to their clients who are within the age of minority;

Wherefore, Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Lipa, that:

SECTION 1.  TITLE - This ordinance shall be known as the “An Ordinance Regulating the Operation of Internet Café/ Computer Game Centers in Lipa City ”

SECTION 2.  DEFINITION OF TERMS- Words and phrases are used in this ordinance.

a. Internet Café/Computer Game Centers – any establishment maintaining/operating online, networked or independent computer games for a fee, irrespective of the number of units, whether licensed or not. This excludes any educational institution, private home and corporate entity using the Internet through an Internet service Provider (ISP) for purposes other than business.

b. Operator - shall include the owner, manager, administrator or any person who operates and is responsible for the operation of any internet café/computer game center.

c. Education center or school - all institution of learning, whether private or public.

SECTION 3.  COVERAGE -

This ordinance shall apply to all Internet Café/Computer Game Centers operating within Lipa City, including those operating within malls and commercial establishments.

SECTION 4.  REGULATIONS:

a. Internet Café/Computer Game Centers should not allow Elementary and High School  students who are below 18 years old, to enter its premises during and between the hours from 8:00AM to 12:00NN and 1:00PM to 4:00PM, but provided with the following exemptions:

a.1. Except on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays or declared non-school days. In case school authorities declare suspension of classes, it shall be the responsibility of the Operator to verify said class suspension.

a.2 Except if the minor student shall utilize the Internet Café/Computer Game Center for specific educational or study purposes such as research, data-gathering or statistical treatment.

a.3. Except if the minor student shall play computer games in the presence and under the supervision of his or her parents or authorized guardian.

b. It shall be the duty of the parents, guardians, teachers in all levels, and school authorities, to supervise and monitor the activities of their minor students, extending to them the benefits of moral guidance, self-discipline and advising them the proper time when to indulge in computer games and on any matter affecting their development and well-being.

c. Operators are required to post on their premises, in a prominent and visible area, warning signs to keep minor students out of their establishments during mentioned school hours.

d. Entrance doors of internet café/computer centers should be transparent and must not be blind-tinted.

e. Internet Café should install filtering software in all units to safeguard minor student from pornographic, satanic, violent and rebellious sites.

f. The operator shall set up monitor filter or operate monitors with built-in filters to safeguard radioactivity.

g. The operator should block access to the website or all sources of games in the computer during the said regulated hours. Only the operator or his authorized personnel may unblock access to said websites or sources for users exempted by Section 4A of this ordinance.

h. The operator shall disallow the use, consumption and trade of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes within the premises of the establishment.

i. No Internet Café/Computer Game Center shall be opened for business operation unless that the same has been duly certified to by the City Health Officer and the Fire Station Chief, as having complied with the requirements of the Health and Fire Departments, and by the City Engineer to certify as to the structural fitness and suitability of the building and safeguard facilities for radioactivity as requirements for securing business permit.

SECTION 5.  PENALTIES: In case of any violation of the provisions of this ordinance, offender shall be penalized on the following manners:

1st Offense –A fine of not less than P500.00 but not more than P1,000.00

2nd Offense –A fine of not less than P2,000.00 but not more than P 3,000.00

3rd Offense -The permit for the operation of the Internet Café/Computer Game Centers shall be withdrawn by the City Mayor or the Permit and Licensing Division, and the license thereof will be revoked, forfeiting to the city all sums paid therefore, and shall be penalized by fine of not less than P500.00 not more than P1,000.00 or an imprisonment of not exceeding six (6) months or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court on the third offense.

SECTION 6. IMPLEMENTING AGENCY – The implementing agency of this ordinance should be the personnel of the Information, Communication and Technology Division of the City, Permits and Licenses Division, City Treasurer’s Office and the Philippine National Police.

SECTION 7. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If for any reason, any section or provision of this ordinance shall be held unconstitutional or invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not affect or impair the other provision or parts thereof which shall continue to be in force and in effect.

SECTION 9.  REPEALING CLAUSE – All ordinances, rules and regulations inconsistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10.  EFFECTIVITY- This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its approval and its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.